There is no mistaking 14th ward alderman Ed Burke on the floor of the Chicago City Council. He’s the white-haired, pinstriped alderman sitting in the most important desk on the floor: the one he occupies as head of the Finance Committee.

But state records show another role for Edward M. Burke: Private Eye.

Burke is a licensed private detective. In addition he’s approved to carry a semi-automatic weapon. And according to state records Edward M. Burke is also a private security contractor, trained and certified to also carry a revolver.

In 2000, Burke obtained what’s called a Firearm Control Card, according to state records. He is the only alderman to have one, the records show.

The card, according to a state spokeswoman, is for security guards and detectives "that need a weapon on the job."

Burke has been for years a vocal supporter of gun control in Chicago. In 1982, Burke was a driving force in pushing through the Council a historic ban on handgun ownership in Chicago.

"What it does do hopefully is put a freeze on the number of handguns that are presently owned by the people in the city of Chicago," he said on the Council floor.

But it turns out Burke really didn’t need to obtain all these licenses to be able to carry a weapon in Chicago, thanks to a law that dates back to1872 that delegates mayors and aldermen as peace officers.

A former Chicago cop, Burke has been an alderman since 1969.

In 1983, Burke was a part of the Vrdolyak 29 battling Chicago mayor Harold Washington. After saying he received threats, Burke was given a four-man bodyguard detail. That was about the same time he got his private detective license.